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Cardinal Mahony tweets request for prayers before papal conclave

March 12, 2013 | 8:06
am

Integrating 21st century technology into a nearly 2,000-year tradition, Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony took to Twitter and his blog Tuesday to ask for prayers as he and 114 other cardinals begin the selection of the next pope.

On his blog, Mahony reposted the prayer he and the rest of the cardinals will take Tuesday morning and recounted what’s to come when the cardinals are sequestered in the Sistine Chapel to select a new pope.

Many have criticized Mahony's participation in the selection process, as recent revelations show he helped cover up years of sexual abuse by priests.

The conclave-–the process where the 115-person College of Cardinals elect the pope-–has taken place in the Sistine Chapel for the last 954 years, Mahony wrote. There have been 12 popes selected in that time.

It’s perhaps the longest, most hallowed and secretive election process in the world. Even if Mahony or any other cardinals wanted to embrace today’s technology and discreetly message the outside world during the process, they couldn’t.